Public economics

Positive economics

Perspective (graphical)

Sociology

Population

Mathematics

Social science

Economic growth

Unification

Demography

Social inequality

Mathematical analysis

Socioeconomic status

Artificial intelligence

Psychology

Economics

Programming language

Computer science

Inequality

Disadvantaged

Social mobility

Social psychology

Nature Human Behaviour

Economic inequality can have a range of negative consequences for those in younger generations, particularly for those from lower-socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. Economists and psychologists, among other social scientists, have addressed this issue, but have proceeded largely in parallel. This Perspective outlines how these disciplines have proposed and provided empirical support for complementary theoretical models. Specifically, both disciplines emphasize that inequality weakens people’s belief in socioeconomic opportunity, thereby reducing the likelihood that low-SES young people will engage in behaviours that would improve their chances of upward mobility (for example, persisting in school or averting teenage pregnancy). In integrating the methods and techniques of economics and psychology, we offer a cohesive framework for considering this issue. When viewed as a whole, the interdisciplinary body of evidence presents a more complete and compelling framework than does either discipline alone. We use this unification to offer policy recommendations that would advance prospects for mobility among low-SES young people. Browman and colleagues review the empirical and theoretical literature and present a framework that unifies economic and psychological perspectives on the impact of inequality on mobility expectations in socioeconomically disadvantaged youth

How economic inequality shapes mobility expectations and behaviour in disadvantaged youth